The All-New Golf SV

Volkswagen is adding a new model to its venerable and top-selling Golf range. The Golf SV (or Sportsvan as it is known in Europe) is all-new model that is packed with all the advanced technology of the award-winning Golf hatchback range, but it has a larger and more practical body.
The Golf SV is the second body variant of the seventh-generation Golf and has a look that clearly follows the design of its sibling, with strong elements of Volkswagen’s design ‘DNA’. Based on the MQB platform and measuring 4,338 mm long, the SV is 83 mm longer than the Golf hatchback.
Its 2,685 mm wheelbase is 48 mm longer than that of the Golf hatchback, helping to generate more interior space, while the SV is also 8 mm wider, at 1,807 mm, and 126 mm higher, at 1,578 mm (excluding roof rails).
That greater interior space provides for greater flexibility. The rear seats (a 40:60 split bench) can slide forwards and backwards by up to 180 mm, to increase either passenger or luggage space as required.
It has a boot capacity of 500 litres with the back seats at their rear-most position (versus the Golf’s 380 litres). Moving the rear seats forwards increases the luggage capacity to 590 litres, while folding the rear seats liberates up to 1,520 litres of room.
Like the Golf hatchback, the Golf SV comes with a raft of standard and optional passive and active safety systems. These include a standard ESC with XDS, automatic post-collision braking system which automatically brakes the vehicle after a collision to reduce kinetic energy significantly and thus minimise the chance or severity of a second impact, and a PreCrash system which, on detecting the possibility of an accident, pre-tensions seatbelts and closes the windows and sunroof, leaving just a small gap, to ensure the best possible protection from the airbags. Other electronic aids include Driver Alert System and optional high beam light assist.
Powering the SV is a range of petrol and diesel engines. The petrol engines incorporate Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems. The petrol engines are turbocharged 1.2-litre with 81 kW and 1.4-litre with 92 kW. The diesel engine on offer will be the 2.0-litre 81 kW.
The Golf SV will only be offered in two equipment lines, Trendline and Comfortline. The Trendline standard feature includes SD card reader and CD player with 5.0-inch colour touchscreen; a front centre armrest; dual rear ISOFIX fittings; seven airbags including one for the driver’s knees; an automatic post-collision braking system; flat tyre indicator, multifunction leather steering wheel, front and rear electric windows, 15-inch Lyon alloy wheel with full alloy spare wheel, black roof rails and manual air conditioning. Additionally, the Comfortline has front foglights; rain sensor; electrically adjustable and heated side mirrors and silver roof rails.
The Golf SV is built at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg factory in Germany alongside the Golf hatchback.
Similarly to the Golf hatchback, the Golf SV is equipped with touchscreen radio and optional radio/navigation systems with proximity sensor.
The standard entertainment system is the 5-inch ‘Composition Colour’ Radio/CD with MP3 compatibility, 8-speakers and SD card. It has three buttons to the left and three to the right of the touchscreen that are used to activate the ‘Radio’, ‘Media’, ‘Car’, ‘Setup’, ‘Sound’ and ‘Mute’ menus/functions.
With the proximity sensor, the touchscreen changes when a finger moves closer. The system automatically switches from display mode to input mode. The display mode shows a screen that is reduced to just the essentials. In the operating mode, on the other hand, the elements that can be activated by touch are specially highlighted to simplify intuitive operation.
Customers have an option of upgrading their infotainment system by ordering 5.8-inch ‘Composition Media’ or 8-inch ‘Discover Pro radio navigation system.
Spec for spec, the Golf SV mirrors the Golf hatchback and adopts many of its safety, comfort and convenience features. These features include Automatic Post-Collision braking system, driver alert system, Park Assist, High beam assist and Panoramic sunroof.
One of the innovative standard features in the Golf SV is the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which won a safety innovation award from Germany’s largest automobile club (ADAC). Studies have found that around a quarter of all traffic accidents involving personal injury are multiple collision incidents, in other words, when there is a second impact after the initial collision. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System automatically brakes the vehicle when it is involved in an accident in order significantly to reduce its residual kinetic energy and hence prevent or minimise the severity of a subsequent collision.
It is estimated that a quarter of road accidents are caused by driver tiredness. For this reason Volkswagen has introduced an innovative fatigue detection system, which is particularly valuable for company car drivers who may cover long distances without a scheduled break.
The latest version of the parking assistance system, Park Assist 2.0, facilitates not only assisted parallel parking, but also reverse parking at right angles to the road. In addition, Park Assist 2.0 is also equipped with a braking and parking space exit function.
The system can be activated at speeds of up to 40 km/h by pressing a button on the centre console. Using the indicators, the driver selects the side on which the car is to be parked. If, using the ultrasound sensors, Park Assist detects a large enough parking space (a manoeuvring distance of 40 cm, front and 40 cm, rear, is sufficient), the assisted parking can begin: having put the vehicle into reverse, all the driver has to do is operate the accelerator and brake. The car takes care of the steering. Acoustic signals and visual information on the multifunction display assist the driver. If a collision is looming, the system can also actively apply the vehicle’s brakes. Park Assist is available as an option.
Powering the Golf SV is a new range of petrol and diesel engines. The petrol engines are a 1.2-litre TSI 81 kW and 1.4-litre TSI with 92 kW. The diesel engine is a 2.0-litre TDI with 81 kW. Both petrol engines are fitted with BlueMotion Technology with Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems.
The petrol units are from the EA211 series, which has been designed for the MQB platform. All the engines in the Golf SV are class-leading in terms of their energy efficiency, lightweight design and high torque performance. Thanks to reduced internal friction, lower weight and optimised thermal management, these engines offer excellent fuel consumption and CO2 emissions values.
The base engine in the Golf SV model range is the 1.2 TSI with 81 kW power output. This turbocharged engine has maximum torque of 175 Nm available at 4 600 rpm and its power output of 81 kW is available at 5 600rpm. It is offered with a six-speed manual. Its top speed is 192 km/h and a sprint of 0-100km/h is reached in 10.7 seconds. The combined fuel consumption is a respectable 5.1 litres per 100 km (117 CO2 of g/km)
For customers looking for additional power but still combined with impressive fuel economy the Golf SV is also available with a turbocharged award winning1.4-litre TSI with 92 kW from 6 000 rpm and maximum torque of 200 Nm available from 5 000 rpm. This engine, which is offered with a six-speed manual or optional seven-speed DSG gearbox, enables a top speed of 200km/h and 0 to 100km/h in 9.9 seconds. Economy is still high on the agenda with a combined consumption of 5.4 (5.2 DSG) and CO2 output of 125 g/km (121 for DSG).
Volkswagen introduced a new series of diesel engines – called EA288 – for the Golf model range alongside the new petrol line-up and one of these engines has been carried over to the Golf SV range. Within this series, Volkswagen is taking its TDI technology, which has been developed over the years, to a new level of sustainability, with reductions in consumption across the range.
This 2.0-litre TDI engine delivers 81 kW and has maximum torque of 250 Nm available from 2 500 rpm. . Customers have an option of standard 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional seven-speed DSG. The Golf SV’s 2.0-litre TDI completes the 0 to 100km/h sprint in 10.5 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 190 km/h. Combined fuel economy is 4.6 l/100km (4.6 for DSG) with a carbon dioxide output of 120 g/km (120 DSG).
The latest-generation ESC system developed for the new Golf and carried to the SV has a range of features designed to have a direct and positive effect on active safety. All models are also fitted with XDS electronic differential lock for improved traction and handling.
Essentially, ESC is a sophisticated system that automatically senses any tendency for the car to slide. Should this situation occur, ESC reacts by applying the brakes to one, two, three or all four wheels and adjusts the engine’s power. In this way, it is possible that a skid is corrected even before the driver is aware that one has started.